First-principles study on the magnetic property of C-doped wurtzite ZnS

We have studied the structure, electronic and magnetic properties of wurtzite (WZ) ZnS semiconductor doped with one or two C atoms using first-principles calculations. The moderate formation energy implied that C-doped ZnS could be fabricated experimentally. The total magnetic moment of the 72 atom super cell was 2.02μB2.02μB, mainly due to the 2p component of the C atom. Electronic structures showed ZnS doped with C atom was p-type half-metallic ferromagnetic (FM) semiconductor and hole mediation was responsible for the ferromagnetism. The large energy difference (154 meV) between the FM and antiferromagnetic (AFM) state implied room-temperature ferromagnetism for C-doped WZ ZnS, which has great potential in spintronic devices.

► The magnetic moment of the 72-atom supercell is 2.02μB2.02μB. ► Electronic structures show C-doped ZnS is half-metallic ferromagnetic semiconductor. ► Calculations indicate C-doped ZnS has room-temperature ferromagnetism.